Author: Silver Emmanuel

2Nov By Silver Emmanuel5 Comments

BUNDESLIGA

Leverkusen frustrated in lively draw with Stuttgart

Jeremie Frimpong of Bayer 04 Leverkusen is challenged by Ramon Hendriks of VfB Stuttgart during the Bundesliga match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and VfB Stuttgart at BayArena on November 1, 2024 in Leverkusen, Germany. Bayer Leverkusen did everything except score against Stuttgart in a lively 0-0 draw in the Bundesliga ahead of Champions League games for both next week. Leverkusen hit the woodwork twice, forced repeated saves from Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nübel, and saw Jeremie Frimpong's goal ruled out for offside in the buildup on Friday. "We had enough chances to score a goal. It was a good performance, maybe our best in the past year. We only lacked a goal," Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso told broadcasters DAZN. Leverkusen are third on the table but could end the weekend seven p...

Read More

2Nov By Silver Emmanuel5 Comments

LALIGA

Atletico ban nine fans after crowd trouble, racism

Atletico de Madrid fans during the Copa del Rey match between UE Vic and Atletico de Madrid at Vic Municipal Football Stadium on October 31, 2024 in Gurb, Spain. Atletico Madrid on Friday permanently banned nine of their supporters from attending matches after incidents of crowd trouble and racist behaviour. A La Liga clash against rivals Real Madrid on September 29 at Atletico’s Metropolitano stadium was halted by officials after some supporters threw objects including lighters onto the pitch. Atletico were also fined by UEFA when some of their supporters were found guilty of “racist and discriminatory” behaviour during a 4-0 Champions League thrashing at Benfica on October 2. “Our security department has worked on identifying those involved in these events by reviewing all the audio-v...

Read More

1Nov By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

SERIE A

Lautaro Martinez eyes UCL glory after Balloon d’or snub

Lautaro Martinez of FC Internazionale greets his supporters at the end of the Serie A Enilive match between Empoli FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Carlo Castellani on October 30, 2024 in Empoli, Italy. Lautaro Martinez has set his sights on some glitzy team objectives after finishing lower than expected in the Balloon d’Or voting despite a terrific season with Inter and Argentina in 2023/2024. He gave an interview to Icon Magazine. He was publicly endorsed by Lionel Messi for the prestigious award. “It’s an honor for me that the greatest player of all time thinks that. I was happy to be a candidate. I think it’s recognition for a great campaign with the national team, with which we won the Coppa America, and the club, as we took home the 20th Scudetto and the Supercoppa. And personal...

Read More

1Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Arda Guler Determined to Earn His Place at Real Madrid

Arda Güler, player of Real Madrid, is training with his teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 training and press conference at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 21, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. Arda Güler is determined to carve out a future for himself at Real Madrid, and the young Turkish prodigy has made it abundantly clear that he has no intention of taking an easy way out. A recent report from The Athletic has outlined his off-field work and the belief that the club have in the youn star. Despite interest from several La Liga clubs who have inquired about his availability on loan, Real Madrid has firmly stated that Guler isn’t going anywhere. Arda’s commitment to becoming a fixture in the first team at the Bernabéu is unwavering, and his work ethic off th...

Read More

1Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona defender’s availability for Espanyol clash remains in doubt

Eric Garcia warms up prior to the La Liga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Sevilla FC at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on October 20, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. After their two amazing victories over Bayern Munich and Real Madrid in their last two matches, FC Barcelona are set to return to action on Sunday with another big match, the Barcelona derby, in which they will face Espanyol. The Blaugranes are already preparing for this game, and their latest training session ahead of this match took place today. As Mundo Deportivo has reported, the 23-year-old defender Eric Garcia continued to work away from the group during this session, and thus he is highly unlikely to be available for this upcoming game. The Spaniard suffered from a muscular overload right before the game against Se...

Read More

1Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Amorim appointed head coach at Man Utd

Sporting Head Coach Rúben Amorim prior to the match between Sporting CP and CD Nacional at Estádio José Alvalade on October 29, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. Manchester United have got their man. Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim was appointed today as successor to Erik Ten Hag but will not join until November 11 at the start of the next international break. Amorim’s first match in charge of United – their sixth permanent boss since Sir Alex Ferguson retired – will be on November 24 at Ipswich Town and he has signed a contract until June 2027, with the option of a further year. United are reported to have paid Sporting an extra €1 million on top of his €10 million exit clause for an early release from his 30-day notice period. Ten Hag was sacked earlier this week, replaced temporarily by his as...

Read More

1Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Pep Guardiola reveals the reason behind his departure from Barcelona

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 26: Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, looks on prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Southampton FC at Etihad Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) FC Barcelona has had the privilege of being able to count on several extraordinary managers throughout the club’s history. This included the likes of Johan Cruyff and now includes German head coach Hansi Flick as well. However, for almost every Barcelona fan and even for neutrals, the most successful coach at the club is a rather obvious name.Pep Guardiola, the current head coach of a dominant Manchester City side over in the Premier League, was formerly the head coach of FC Barcelona. However, while that may have been ...

Read More

1Nov By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Saudi Arabia set sights on Thibaut Courtois as next Real Madrid objective

After attempts of varying success to recruit Real Madrid stars Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Nacho Fernandez and Vinicius Junior, Saudi Arabia are now looking at other opportunities to bring star power to the Middle East. One of their objectives is the best goalkeeper in the world, in the eyes of many. Belgian shotstopper Thibaut Courtois is reportedly the latest objective of Al-Ahli, and they intend to present huge offers to both the Belgian and Real Madrid. MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 22: Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid acknowledges the fans after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Real Madrid C.F. and Borussia Dortmund at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 22, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) The repo...

Read More

31Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Alexander Isak update as Newcastle United given fresh injury concern ahead of Arsenal

Alexander Isak of Newcastle United (14) celebrates after scoring Newcastle's opening goal during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James' Park on October 30, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Newcastle United were handed a fresh injury concern ahead of the Carabao Cup victory against Chelsea. Jacob Murphy missed out on the matchday squad having come on as a substitute at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Eddie Howe confirmed the winger has a hamstring issue, making him a doubt for Saturday’s Premier League clash at home to Arsenal. “Jacob was missing because of a slight hamstring,” said Howe. He couldn’t play tonight, but we don’t think it’s anything serious.” Howe made five changes from the defeat in West London with Lloyd Kelly ,Emil Krafth, Sea...

Read More

31Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Inter stays hot on Napoli’s heels as Juve stumbles again

Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is in action during the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Stadio Meazza in Milan, Italy, on October 29, 2024. Inter Milan consolidated their second place in Serie A on Wednesday with a 3-0 away thrashing of 10-man Empoli. Europa League champions Atalanta climbed to third with a 2-0 win over lowly Monza, as Juventus again shed valuable points and dropped to fourth with a 2-2 home draw with Parma. Resurgent Napoli are four points clear at the top of the table on 25 after they beat AC Milan 2-0 on Tuesday in a match that featured a sensational winning strike by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. But defending champions Inter kept pace Wednesday when they overwhelmed Empoli who played with 10 men after the half hour as Saba Goglichidze walked for a da...

Read More

31Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Guardiola admits Man City are ‘in difficulty’ as injuries mount up

Pep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City, reacts during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 30, 2024 in London, England. Pep Guardiola claimed Manchester City were in trouble after they suffered further injuries in a 2-1 loss at Tottenham in the Carabao Cup to leave them with only 13 first-team players available. Already without Kyle Walker, Rodri, Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku, Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish for the fourth-round tie, Manuel Akanji was withdrawn ahead of kick-off before Savinho left on a stretcher in the second half. Guardiola was measured after first-half goals by Timo Werner – his first in 18 matches – and Pape Sarr inflicted a first defeat of the campaign on City, but he acknowledged p...

Read More

31Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

BUNDESLIGA

FC Schalke 04’s suffering continues as revenue halves and performances are poor

(L-R) Chairman Uwe Eichner of Vivawest, Karin Welge, mayoress of GELSENKIRCHEN, Dr. Bernd Schröder, head of board of Schalke, Christina Rühl-Hamers, board of Schalke and Peter Knaebel, member of board of Schalke present the new FC Schalke 04 shirts and sponsors prior to the Second Bundesliga match between FC Schalke 04 and FC Hansa Rostock at Veltins Arena on March 05, 2022 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Seven-time Bundesliga champions, FC Schalke 04, have lurched from one crisis to another over the last five years as financial problems have crippled one of Germany’s most historic clubs. With the financial results from the period January 1 to June 30 just released, the picture remains cloudy. Despite having 178,000 members, making it the second-largest club in Germany and fourth-biggest in ...

Read More

30Oct By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

BUNDESLIGA

German Cup holders Leverkusen win, Dortmund crash out

Jonas Wind of VfL Wolfsburg attempts an acrobatic shot during the DFB-Pokal match between VfL Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund at Volkswagen Arena on October 29, 2024 in Wolfsburg, Germany. Borussia Dortmund's crisis has deepened when they crashed out of the German Cup with a 1-0 second-round defeat in extra time at Wolfsburg. Jonas Wind grabbed the winner in the 117th minute on Wednesday (AEDT) which handed Dortmund a third defeat in eight days, following a 5-2 Champions League meltdown at Real Madrid and a 2-1 Bundesliga loss in Augsburg. "Losing three times in a row away is bad. More was possible," Dortmund midfielder Pascal Gross told Sky TV. "We had some good moments. These tight games are often decided by one goal and we didn't manage to score it." Beleaguered Dortmund coach Nuri Sa...

Read More

30Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

SERIE A

Fonseca: ‘Milan controlled the match, but Napoli scored’

Paulo Fonseca coaches Milan during the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli at Stadio Meazza in Milan, Italy, on October 29, 2024. Paulo Fonseca insists Milan ‘played positive football’ against Napoli, but failed to convert their chances and made ‘errors’ to concede the two goals. ‘We controlled the match.’ The Portuguese tactician made a brave stand by dropping Rafael Leao for the second game in a row, especially risky considering Christian Pulisic was only fit for the bench with flu symptoms. In addition, Tijjani Reijnders and Theo Hernandez were suspended, with Matteo Gabbia, Tammy Abraham, Luka Jovic, Alessandro Florenzi and Ismael Bennacer injured. The gamble did not pay off, as Romelu Lukaku and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia secured the 2-0 victory for Napoli at San Siro, A...

Read More

30Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

TRANSFERS

Spurs reject enquiry from Sevilla for teenager

Archie Gray of Tottenham Hotspur during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Tottenham Hotspur and AZ at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 24, 2024 in London, England. According to a fresh report out of the Spanish media, Spurs have rejected an enquiry from Sevilla sporting director Victor Orta, to bring in Archie Gray on loan in the January transfer window. Orta was previously sporting director of Leeds United, and whilst Gray’s proper breakthrough into the first team came the season after he departed the club in the summer of 2023, there is no doubt the 46-year old will be aware of Gray from his time at the Yorkshire club. The report suggests that Orta saw an opportunity due to the teenagers “lack of game time” at Spurs so far. Whilst he perhaps hasn’t playe...

Read More

30Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Karim Benzema: “Vinicius Jr deserved the Ballon d’Or”

Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Real Madrid C.F. and Borussia Dortmund at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 22, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid legend Karim Benzema said former partner-in-crime Vinicius Jr deserved the Ballon d’Or after Rodri took home the trophy on Tuesday night. “Viní deserved to win the Ballon d’Or. I have spoken to him, he is sad. It is normal,” said Benzema, in an interview with El Chiringuito. Benzema also gave his opinion on Rodri winning the much-coveted award. He said: “I have nothing against Rodri, he’s a good player, but I’m on my sofa watching TV and Rodri doesn’t do anything that makes you say ‘pfff’. Vini has done it more than once.” The e...

Read More

30Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Ruben Amorim has 4-word answer for if he will be Man Utd boss in time for Chelsea match

Sporting Head Coach Rúben Amorim prior to the match between Sporting CP and CD Nacional at Estádio José Alvalade on October 29, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim is playing it coy but looks increasingly likely to become Manchester United boss sooner rather than later. The Portuguese predictably fielded a LOT of questions from journalists after Sporting's 3-1 win over Nacional in the Portuguese League Cup quarterfinals. On Tuesday night he said his future "hasn't been decided yet" despite reports he has verbally agreed to a move to Old Trafford. "Nobody knows if this was my farewell match, or if there will be a farewell match," Amorim said. Asked if he will be in the dugout at Old Trafford for Sunday's game against Chelsea, Amorim said "I will be here". But ther...

Read More

29Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

Son Heung-min to miss Spurs’ League Cup tie against Manchester City

Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. Tottenham Hotspur will remain without captain Son Heung-min for their League Cup fourth-round tie at home to Manchester City on Wednesday. Son returned after a three-match absence due to a hamstring injury to score against West Ham earlier this month, but then reported “soreness” after the October 19 win and has missed subsequent matches with AZ Alkmaar and Crystal Palace. Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou said Tuesday the South Korea star will miss the visit of City but should return for the Premier League match with Aston Villa on Sunday. “Sonny, no. Well he is almo...

Read More

29Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Kylian Mbappé Advised on How to Overcome Slow Real Madrid Start

Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid reacts during the LaLiga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on October 26, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. Kylian Mbappé’s first El Clásico didn’t go as he had hoped, as Real Madrid suffered a disappointing 4-0 defeat to FC Barcelona last Saturday at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. While he certainly caught attention, it wasn’t for the right reasons. The match remained scoreless until the 31st minute when Mbappé thought he had given Madrid the lead, but VAR ruled the goal offside. Offside became a frustrating theme for the former Paris Saint-Germain star, who was flagged eight times during the match—more than any player in LaLiga over the past decade, according to StatMuse on X. To make matters worse, Real Madrid watched as Barce...

Read More

29Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

PREMIER LEAGUE

£12 million regular starter believes Southampton can again make a come-back

Kyle Walker-Peters of Southampton during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Southampton FC at Etihad Stadium on October 26, 2024 in Manchester, England. Kyle Walker-Peters is one of the most experienced players for Southampton, and the 27-year-old is among the best defenders who have played for the Saints in recent seasons. Since arriving at the St. Mary's Stadium from Tottenham Hotspurs in a £12 million transfer move, the England international has gone strength to strength while establishing himself as an integral part of the Southampton defence. When the Saints were relegated last year, Walker-Peters was one of the few first-team players who decided to help Southampton to return to the English top flight. With 11 clean-sheets and 6 goal contributions in the previou...

Read More